Hist 221 Test 2 day 2

Battle of Saratoga

• Location & Context

  • Occurred near Albany, New York.

  • Major American victory during the Revolutionary War.

• Key Figures

  • British Commander: John Burgoyne.

  • American Commander: Horatio Gates, with Benedict Arnold as second-in-command.

• Significance of Victory

  • Major defeat for British forces, leading to the capture of 5-6,000 British troops.

  • Stopped the British invasion from Canada.

  • Turning point in the war that boosted American morale.

French Alliance

• Prelude to French Support

  • Prior to the Battle of Saratoga, France was hesitant to formally ally with the Americans, wanting to see their chances of winning.

• Impact of Saratoga on France

  • Encouraged France to officially engage and assist the American cause.

  • In early 1778, France signed the Treaty of Alliance, which was both military and economic.

• Key American Negotiator

  • Benjamin Franklin, well-connected in Europe, played a crucial role in securing French support.

Global Conflict

• Expansion of the War

  • The conflict evolved into a world-wide war with Spain and the Netherlands joining against Britain.

  • Spain aimed to regain Florida and Gibraltar, while the Netherlands focused on their trade rivalry.

  • Introduced complexities to peace negotiations post-war due to varying objectives of allied nations.

Southern Strategy of Britain

• Change in Focus

  • As the war in the North became stagnant, British strategy shifted to the Southern colonies starting in 1778.

  • Major victories in the South included the occupation of Savannah and Charleston.

• American Response

  • General Nathaniel Greene sent by Washington to command Southern forces.

  • Adopted the strategy: "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again," aimed at wearing down British forces.

• Notable British Commander in the South

  • General Cornwallis led British forces in the Carolinas.

Siege of Yorktown

• Turning Point

  • Washington learned of Cornwallis' position at Yorktown and organized a joint American and French force.

  • Key naval battles secured French control of Chesapeake Bay, preventing British supplies.

• Surrender of Cornwallis

  • Cornwallis ultimately surrendered in October 1781, marking a significant defeat for the British.

  • British formal surrender illustrated the humiliating nature of the defeat, with attempts to circumvent direct surrender to American forces.

Treaty of Paris 1783

• Negotiations

  • The British acknowledged American independence but took time for formal treaty due to international complexities.

  • Benjamin Franklin was a central figure in securing favorable terms for the United States.

• Territorial Outcomes

  • The United States gained territory East of the Mississippi, acknowledged independence, while Britain retained Canada.

  • Spain regained Florida but not Gibraltar.

Aftermath of the Revolutionary War

• State of the New Nation

  • Despite independence, The United States was in a weak position militarily, economically, and politically post-war.

• Articles of Confederation

  • Ratified in 1781; the first constitution giving most power to the states with a weak federal government.

  • Highlighted issues included lack of taxation power and inability to regulate trade.

• Meetings to Address Issues

  • Early discussions at Mount Vernon concerning economic control over shared waterways signaled growing discontent with the Articles.

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more detailed below

Battle of Saratoga

Location & Context

• Locale: The battle took place near Albany, New York, a strategic location that influenced the control of the Hudson River.

• Significance: It was a major American victory during the Revolutionary War, taking place in September and October of 1777.

Key Figures

• British Commander: John Burgoyne, known for his elaborate military strategies but ultimately failed to execute them effectively.

• American Commanders: Horatio Gates, who gained fame for his leadership during the battle, and Benedict Arnold, serving as his second-in-command, who played a crucial role despite later becoming a controversial figure when he defected to the British.

Significance of Victory

• Impact on British Forces: The Americans achieved a significant defeat, capturing 5,000 to 6,000 British troops, which severely weakened the British army's operational capacity.

• Strategic Importance: This victory effectively halted the British invasion from Canada, which was aimed at cutting off New England from the rest of the colonies.

• Turning Point: The success at Saratoga is often considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War, significantly boosting American morale and encouraging further enlistments in the Continental Army.

French Alliance

Prelude to French Support

• France's Hesitation: Before the Battle of Saratoga, France was reluctant to officially ally with the Colonists, preferring to observe the Americans' chances of securing independence.

Impact of Saratoga on France

• Encouragement: The American victory galvanized French support, persuading them to formally engage in the conflict.

• Treaty of Alliance (1778): This pivotal agreement included military aid as well as economic support, leading to French troops and resources being sent to assist the Americans.

Key American Negotiator

• Benjamin Franklin: A prominent diplomat and key negotiator who played a fundamental role in forging the alliance with France, utilizing his social connections and persuasive skills in Europe.

Global Conflict

Expansion of the War

• International Involvement: The conflict expanded beyond North America as other nations like Spain and the Netherlands joined the fight against Britain.

• Motivations of Allies: Spain aimed to regain territories such as Florida and Gibraltar, while the Netherlands joined due to their longstanding trade rivalry with Britain, complicating peace negotiations after the war.

Southern Strategy of Britain

Change in Focus

• British Strategy Shift: After facing setbacks in the North, starting in 1778, the British turned their military focus toward the Southern colonies, anticipating greater loyalty from loyalists there.

• Southern Victories: They achieved notable successes in places like Savannah and Charleston, capturing significant American forces and resources.

American Response

• General Nathaniel Greene: Appointed by Washington to command the Southern forces. Greene adopted a strategy summarized as: "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again," focusing on attrition to wear down British forces.

Notable British Commander in the South

• General Cornwallis: He led the British forces through the Carolinas, notably achieving victories but also facing increasing resistance and challenges from American militias.

Siege of Yorktown

Turning Point

• Washington's Strategy: Learning of Cornwallis' positioning at Yorktown, Washington coordinated a joint American and French military force to encircle the British.

• Naval Control: Key naval battles ensured that the French secured control of Chesapeake Bay, effectively cutting off British supply lines.

Surrender of Cornwallis

• Outcome: In October 1781, Cornwallis surrendered, marking a decisive defeat for British forces and effectively leading to the end of major combat operations in the colonies.

• Symbolism: The formal surrender was marked by a humiliating ceremony for the British, emphasizing the depth of their defeat, as Cornwallis attempted to avoid direct surrender to American forces.

Treaty of Paris 1783

Negotiations

• International Politics: Although the British acknowledged American independence, the complexities of international relations delayed the formal treaty conclusion.

• Central Role of Franklin: Benjamin Franklin continued to play a crucial role in negotiations, working to secure equitable terms for the United States despite various international pressures.

Territorial Outcomes

• Gains for the United States: The newly independent nation gained territory east of the Mississippi River. The Treaty recognized American independence while allowing Britain to retain Canada.

• Spain's Regained Territories: Spain regained Florida, yet remained without Gibraltar, illustrating the varied outcomes for involved nations.

Aftermath of the Revolutionary War

State of the New Nation

• Post-War Challenges: Despite achieving independence, the United States faced a precarious position marked by military, economic, and political weaknesses.

Articles of Confederation

• Initial Governance: Ratified in 1781, the Articles of Confederation represented the first constitution, granting significant power to the states while creating a weak federal government.

• Highlighted Issues: The Articles' limitations became apparent, especially regarding the federal government’s lack of power to tax and regulate interstate commerce.

Meetings to Address Issues

• Growing Discontent: Early discussions, notably at Mount Vernon, about economic control over shared waterways highlighted mounting dissatisfaction with the Articles, foreshadowing the need for a stronger federal structure.

Southern Campaigns

American Strategy: General Nathaniel Greene commanded Southern forces, focusing on attrition: "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."

Key Victories: Notable American successes included the battles of Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse, shifting momentum against the British.

British Strategy Shift: General Cornwallis aimed to secure control in the South but faced strong resistance from militias.

Siege of Yorktown: The campaign ended with Cornwallis' surrender in October 1781, after a joint American-French effort.

Legislative Branch under the Articles of Confederation (1781)

• Weak Unicameral Legislature: The Articles established a single-chamber legislature with limited powers.

• Voting Structure: Each state received one vote, regardless of size or population.

• Unanimous Vote for Amendments: Any amendments to the Articles required a unanimous vote from all states, making changes difficult.

• Lack of Taxation Power: The legislature had no authority to impose taxes, relying on voluntary contributions from states.

• No Trade Regulation: The legislature lacked the power to regulate interstate or international trade, leading to economic difficulties.

Northwest Ordinance

• Territorial Governance: Established guidelines for the governance of the Northwest Territory and a process for admitting new states to the Union.

Revising the Articles

• Mount Vernon Conference: Early meetings to address issues with the Articles and encourage stronger governance, highlighting growing discontent.

• 1785: Further discussions at the Annapolis Convention set the stage for the eventual drafting of a new Constitution.